Bodily Fluid Indicator Devices and Methods

ABSTRACT

Bodily fluid indicator devices and methods are provided. Such devices and methods can effectively indicate whether the amount of bodily fluid being produced is within a measurable range. In an exemplary embodiment, a bodily fluid indicator device includes a substrate having a surface. Some portions of the surface are covered with a region of absorbent material and other portions of the surface are devoid of the absorbent material. A graduated scale or a reactive feature is printed on the absorbent material. The device is configured to indicate an amount and/or a composition a bodily fluid present on an area of a patient or subject.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/298,561 filed on Feb. 23,2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/395,683 filed on Sep. 16,2016, the contents of each of which are herein incorporated herein byreference in the entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to devices for obtaining bodily fluid and,in particular, to bodily fluid indicator devices and methods forindicating various attributes associated with bodily fluid.

BACKGROUND

The human body produces and secretes various bodily fluids, including,but not limited to saliva, sweat, nasal fluid, vaginal fluid, etc.Changes in the amount of a bodily fluid being produced and/or changes inthe composition of the bodily fluid being produced can be indicators ofa subject's overall health. For example, a shortage or overage inproduction of some types of bodily fluids can be indicative of diseaseor a health concern, such as the existence of a tumor, an autoimmunedisease, or diabetes, just to name a few.

Currently, tests that indicate the amount and/or composition of bodilyfluid being produced are determined using measures of fluid (e.g.,saliva is removed from the mouth and then measured). Existing tests arealso performed over a period of several minutes, typically five minutesor longer. The prolonged length of these tests can be uncomfortable tothe subject.

Accordingly, a need exists for improved bodily fluid indicator devicesand methods, which can effectively indicate whether the amount of bodilyfluid being produced is within a measurable range.

SUMMARY

Bodily fluid indicator devices and methods are provided and disclosedherein. In an exemplary embodiment, a bodily fluid indicator device isprovided. The device comprises a surface and a graduated scale orreactive feature. Some portions of the surface are covered with a regionof absorbent material and other portions of the surface are devoid ofthe absorbent material. The graduated scale or reactive feature isprinted on the absorbent material. The graduated scale can be printedusing a U.S. Food and Drug Agency (FDA) approved ink, including but notlimited to a food grade ink.

In further embodiments, the substrate is flexible. The substrate maycomprise an organic or inorganic material. The substrate can comprisepaper and be planar or curved.

Moreover, device can comprise a plurality of bendable tabs that extendfrom the surface. The tabs are configured to rest against a portion of asubject's body during a bodily fluid measurement.

Additionally, the substrate can comprise a body portion and a stemportion extending from the body portion. The body portion can be atleast 0.5 inches wide and the stem portion can be at least 0.125 incheswide. Notably, the devices set forth herein are configured to indicatean amount and/or a composition a bodily fluid present on an area of apatient or subject. The bodily fluid can comprise saliva, sweat, nasalfluid, breast milk, breast discharge, or vaginal fluid.

In a further aspect, a method of using a bodily fluid indicator deviceis provided. The method can comprise providing a bodily fluid indicatordevice comprising a region of absorbent material and a graduated scaleprinted thereon. The method can further comprise contacting a bodilyfluid with the indicator device for a period of time sufficient to causethe bodily fluid to migrate over a portion of the graduated scale,wherein the period of time is less than one minute. The method canfurther comprise determining a measurable amount of bodily fluid beingproduced based on a proportion of the graduated scale over which thebodily fluid has migrated.

In yet a further aspect, an additional method of using a bodily fluidindicator device is provided. The method comprises providing a bodilyfluid indicator device comprising a region of absorbent material and oneor more reactive features printed thereon and contacting a bodily fluidwith the indicator device for a period of time sufficient to cause thebodily fluid to migrate over a portion of the one or more reactivefeatures. The period of time is less than one minute. The method canfurther comprise indicating an absence or presence of a chemicalconstituent forming the bodily fluid based on a reaction of the one ormore reactive features over which the bodily fluid has migrated. Thereaction can comprise a change in color, intensity, visibility, size,and/or shape of the one or more reactive features.

These and other embodiments are described in more detail in the detaileddescription which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1F are various views of a bodily fluid indicator deviceaccording to some embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2B are schematic views of various bodily fluid indicatordevices according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for using a bodily fluidindicator device according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Bodily fluid indicator devices and methods are described herein whichmay provide one or more advantages over prior devices. Bodily fluiddevices and methods herein are configured to indicate whether the typeand/or amount of bodily fluid being produced is measurable. Bodily fluiddevices and methods herein are also configured to indicate otherattributes associated with a bodily fluid, such as attributes relatingto composition (e.g., specific elements or chemical present, whether ayeast or bacteria are present, whether a hormone is present, etc.),temperature, or pH. Notably, devices and methods described providequicker and/or more easily readable results than prior devices.

For example, the devices and methods herein are configured to testbodily fluid via a bodily fluid indicating device to indicate whetherthe chemical composition and/or amount of bodily fluid is within anaccepted range, and the test can be performed in less than one minute.

Moreover, devices and/or methods described herein can be easily obtainedand/or used by any health care provider (e.g., dentist, physician,nurse, pharmacist, etc.) or a subject, either in a clinical setting, apharmacy setting, or in a home-use environment (i.e., a self-test). Theself-test can be performed over a short course of time for an indicationof whether the bodily fluid production is increasing or decreasing.

I. Bodily Fluid Indicator Devices

In some aspects, devices for indicating the type and/or amount of bodilyfluid being produced are provided. In some embodiments, devices hereincomprise a substrate. The substrate can be rigid, semi-rigid, orflexible. In some embodiments, the device comprises a thin device havinga thin substrate, the device being configured for insertion withinand/or contacting a subject's body (e.g., a mouth, eye, or nipple) toindicate an amount of bodily fluid present, a pH or temperature of thefluid, a composition forming the bodily fluid, and/or compositionalelements (e.g., chemicals, bacterial, hormones, yeast, etc.) present orabsent in the bodily fluid. In some embodiments, the device comprises amultidimensional solid or hollow device configured for insertion withinthe subject's body (e.g., a vagina or nose) for indicating an amount ofbodily fluid present and/or a composition forming the bodily fluid.

The device substrate can comprise at least one surface that faces asource of the bodily fluid (e.g., a tongue, a vaginal wall, a nasalcavity, etc.). Some portions of the surface can be covered with a regionor area of absorbent material and other portions of the surface can bedevoid of the absorbent material. The absorbent material can comprise aporous material, a fibrous material, a porous paper, a filter paper, anabsorbent paper, a woven or non-woven material, etc. Bodily fluids canadvance or migrate from the fluid source (e.g., a tongue, vaginal wall,etc., or portion thereof), which contacts a proximal end of theabsorbent material, towards a distal end of the absorbent material. Thedistal end of the absorbent material can be disposed outside of thesubject's body. Thus, the fluid can migrate via capillary or osmoticaction from one end of the absorbent material that is inside thesubject's body towards a second end of the absorbent material that isoutside of the subject's body, for example, where a graduated scale orone or more features are printed.

In certain embodiments, the substrate can comprise or be formed from apolymeric material such as a polystyrene (PS) (e.g. 0.01 polystyrene,0.03 polystyrene, or 0.04 polystyrene). However, it is to be understoodthat the substrate is not limited to a polystyrene. Other materials mayinclude polymeric materials, organic materials, plastic, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene(HDPE), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polypropylene (PP), high impactpolystyrene (HIPS), polyamide (PA), and/or polycarbonate (PC).Non-plastic materials may also be used. In some embodiments, thesubstrate comprises or is formed from a food approved or food safematerial, and/or comprises or is formed from a material which minimizesor reduces the risk of injury to the subject's mouth, gums, and/orteeth.

The substrate can have any dimensions or shape not inconsistent with theobjectives of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments,the substrate is square, rectangular, and/or comprises one or morecurved sections. Such shapes may be adapted as a “one size fits all”shape or size so that subjects of most or all ages or sizes may use thedevices without modification. In addition, the substrate's size and/orshape may accommodate a subject with all of his or her teeth, some ofhis or her teeth missing, or with no teeth.

In some embodiments, a graduated scale and/or one or more reactivefeatures may be printed on or over the absorbent material. The phrase“reactive feature” refers to a feature printed on the test device thathas a chemical composition which is reactive to the presence or absenceof a chemical, bacteria, yeast, temperature, pH, or a specificBiomarker. The chemical composition may react by changing color,intensity, size, shape, visibility, etc., in reaction to detecting thepresence or absence of the chemical, bacteria, yeast, etc. For exampleand in some embodiments, where specific bacteria are present in thebodily fluid and a reactive feature which targets the specific bacteriais printed on the device, the feature may appear (i.e., become visible),change color, size, intensity, etc., to indicate that the specificbacteria are present.

The graduated scale and/or other features printed on or over theabsorbent material can be printed from a U.S. Food and Drug Agency (FDA)approved ink, such as a water soluble food grade ink, a plant based dyeor stain, an edible material, etc. Any U.S. FDA approved ink may be usedthat is not inconsistent with the objectives of the present invention.Exemplary FDA approved inks may include FDA approved toner inks that arenon-toxic to humans and FDA 21 C.F.R. compliant. The graduated scaleand/or other features can indicate an amount and/or a chemicalcomposition of a bodily fluid, including, but not limited to fluids suchas saliva, nasal fluid, breast milk, breast discharge, or vaginal fluid.As noted above, the presence or absence of a chemical or elementalconstituent or composition, hormone, etc. may also be determined via oneor more reactive features printed on or over the absorbent material.

In some embodiments, the substrate comprises a flexible substrate. Inother embodiments, the substrate comprises a rigid or semi-rigidsubstrate. The substrate may be organic or inorganic. In someembodiments, the substrate comprises paper. In other embodiments, thesubstrate comprises plastic. The substrate can be solid or porous. Thesubstrate can comprise any material that is not inconsistent with theobjectives of the instant disclosure.

In some embodiments, the substrate is two-dimensional. In otherembodiments, the substrate is three-dimensional. In some embodiments,the substrate has a square, circular, or rectangular sectional shape.The substrate may be planar, non-planar, rounded, angled, or curved. Anysize and/or shape of substrate can be provided, so long that it is notinconsistent with the objectives of the instant disclosure.

In some embodiments, the substrate comprises a body portion and a stemportion. A plurality of bendable tabs can extend from portions of thesubstrate. The tabs are configured to prevent a portion of the devicefrom extending into a body or orifice of a subject and/or prevent aportion of the device from contacting the bodily fluid. For example, insome embodiments, the tabs prevent the stem portion from extending intoportions of the subject's body (e.g., the nose, mouth, vagina, etc., ofthe subject). The tabs are also helpful for elevating the substrate on aflat surface for obtaining easier readings.

In some embodiments, the substrate comprises or is formed from a foodapproved or food safe material, and/or comprises or is formed from amaterial which minimizes or reduces the risk of injury to the patient'sbody.

In some embodiments, the absorbent material is attached to thesubstrate. For example, the absorbent material may be laminated to thesubstrate. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is applied viamechanical clamping or heat. Other attachment methods are contemplated.

The substrate can have any dimensions or shape not inconsistent with theobjectives of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments,one or more portions of the substrate can be square, rectangular,rounded, elongated, and/or comprise one or more curved sections. Suchshapes may be provided in a “one size fits all” shape or size and/oroptionally adapted from the “one size fits all” shape or size to acustomized size or shape so that subjects of most or all ages and/orsizes may use the devices described herein without modification.

Bodily fluid indicator devices described herein may optionally beprovided in a kit. For example, such devices may be provided in kits foruse in the measurement of saliva production. Such kits, in someembodiments, comprise a plurality of saliva test members and a displayrack. The test members can each comprise a rigid or semi-rigid substrateas described hereinabove.

The display rack for kits described herein may be adapted to retain thesaliva test members in a manner permitting visual inspection of theabsorbent material of the test members. In certain embodiments, the kitsdescribed herein comprise an optional display rack. The display rack canhave any architecture or structural features in order to enable the rackto permit visual inspection of the absorbent material of the saliva testmembers. In some embodiments, the display rack is capable of retainingone or more test members concurrently, permitting a subject or clinicianto visually inspect multiple test members simultaneously. The displayrack can comprise or be formed from any material. For example, a displayrack can comprise or be formed from a plastic, or can comprise or beformed from cardboard or a reinforced paper product. In someembodiments, a container for the saliva test members may also be used asa display rack of a kit described herein. Persons having skill in theart will recognize and appreciate that devices may be provided and usedalone, or multiple devices may be provided in a kit for comparison,where desired.

II. Methods of Using a Bodily Fluid Indicator Device

In a further aspect, methods of using a bodily fluid indicator deviceare provided. In some embodiments, a method includes providing a bodilyfluid indicator device comprising a region of absorbent material and agraduated scale printed thereon. The graduated scale may be printed froma food grade or FDA approved ink that is water soluble.

In some embodiments, the method can further include contacting a bodilyfluid with the indicator device for a period of time sufficient to causethe bodily fluid to migrate over a portion of the graduated scale.Notably, the period of time is less than two minutes. In someembodiments, the period of time is approximately one minute or less,approximately 45 seconds or less, between about 30 seconds and twominutes, or a subrange thereof (e.g., 30-45 seconds, 1-2 minutes, etc.).In further embodiments, the period of time is approximately 30 secondsor less.

In some embodiments, the method includes determining an increase ordecrease regarding an amount of bodily fluid present based on aproportion of the graduated scale over which the bodily fluid hasmigrated. The change (i.e., increase or decrease in bodily fluid) may beobserved on the amount of the graduated scale over which the bodilyfluid has migrated. The subject may then undergo additional testing fordiagnosing the cause of a deficient amount of fluid.

In other embodiments, where bodily fluid migrates over three or moreportions (e.g., increments) of the graduated scale, the test mayindicate that the amount of bodily fluid obtained from a subject iswithin a normal range. Thus, bodily fluid indicator devices herein canindicate whether a subject's bodily fluid is within a normal range, or arange outside of what is considered normal. What is considered “normal”may vary based on the type of bodily fluid being obtained or thelocation of the test. For example, increments on a graduated scale formeasuring saliva may be appropriate if spaced approximately 5 mm apartwhereas increments on a graduated scale for measuring vaginal fluid maybe appropriate if spaced approximately 10 mm apart.

As persons having skill in the art will recognize and appreciate, thelength, placement, and/or incremental measurements on the graduatedscale may be increased (e.g., in length or spacing) or decreaseddepending on the area being sampled and/or bodily fluid being sampled.Different bodily fluids may be tested using different scales and/orincrements. In some methods, determining whether an amount of bodilyfluid being produced is normal or abnormal is indicated using agraduated scale. The overall length of the scale and/or the spacingbetween increments on the scale can be set to an appropriate value forthe type of bodily fluid being obtained and/or the area from which thebodily fluid is being obtained.

In some embodiments, methods herein further comprise folding or bendinga plurality of tabs disposed on the bodily fluid indicator device forpreventing a portion of the device from contacting the bodily fluid. Forexample, one or more tabs may be folded or bent to provide a “stop” toprevent the entire testing device from being inserted within a subjector otherwise contacting the bodily fluid. In an exemplary embodiment,the tabs are configured to contact a subject's skin or lips to prevent astem portion of the device from extending within the subject's mouthduring a saliva test. Other tabs, for example, may prevent the devicefrom over-extension within a subject's nose, or vagina. Methods hereincan be used to test any bodily fluid not inconsistent with theobjectives noted herein.

In some embodiments, the device may be devoid of a graduated scaleand/or include a graduated scale and one or more other reactive,indicative features printed thereon. Such features may react to acertain attributes of the bodily fluid, for example, temperature, pH,Biomarker, or chemical composition of the bodily fluid. That is, in someembodiments, methods herein can further comprise indicating an absenceor presence of a chemical constituent in a bodily fluid based on thereaction (e.g., changes in color, intensity, etc.) of the reactivefeatures over which the bodily fluid has migrated.

For example, such reactive features may indicate the absence or presenceof a chemical or elemental constituent (e.g., the presence or absence ofiron, calcium, glucose, sucrose, etc.), the absence or presence of ahormone, or the absence of presence of any other chemical attribute thatis not inconsistent with the objectives of the instant disclosure. Thefeatures may indicate the absence or presence of a chemical or hormoneand/or indicate a temperature or pH by changing color, intensity,quantity, size, visibility, etc.

In some embodiments, visibility or non-visibility of one or morereactive features indicates the presence or absence of a chemical orelemental constituent in the bodily fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, acommunication feature may be embedded on the device when specifiedcompounds or Biomarkers are detected. Similarly, a feature may bevisible on the device when estrogen is detected and invisible whenestrogen is not detected. Test devices described herein may be printedwith any suitable graduated scale and/or reactive feature for indicatingvarious attributes (e.g., amount, specific elements present, specificcompositional constituents present, temperature, pH, hormonalconstituents, etc.) relating to a bodily fluid being tested.

In optional embodiments, the saliva test members (i.e., devices) may beweighed before and after insertion into the subject's mouth to obtain aninitial weight and a final weight. A first test value can correspond toa weight of saliva present in or on a first saliva test member afteruse. To obtain a quantitative measurement of salivary production orflow, the first test value can be compared to provide a numericaldifference between it and subsequent test values. In certain instances,the first test value can itself be used as a quantitative diagnosticmeasurement, such as by comparing the first test value to a “standard”value or range of values corresponding to normal, healthy, abnormal, orunhealthy levels of salivary production or flow. Other methods ofquantitative measurement or comparison are also possible. For example,one or more of the saliva test members can comprise or include acapillary stem which provides a measurable distance that the salivatravels along the absorbent material in order to obtain a relativequantity of saliva collected on the first saliva test member. This wouldthen be compared to a standard device, which provides a measurable valuefor comparison and quantification.

Some embodiments described herein are further illustrated in thefollowing non-limiting examples.

Example 1

Devices and methods herein are configured to indicate at least an amountand/or a composition a bodily fluid present on an area of a subject orpatient. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate bodily fluid indicator devicesgenerally designated 100A.

As FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate, device 100 can include a substrate 102and an absorbent material 104 disposed on or over a portion of thesubstrate. Substrate 102 and/or absorbent material 104 can comprisesemi-rigid or flexible, non-toxic materials suitable for placement on,over, or within a subject's body. In some embodiments, substrate 102 cancomprise a body portion 108A and a stem portion 108B.

In some embodiments, absorbent material 104 comprises a paper, such as aporous filter paper over which a fluid migrates via capillary or osmoticphenomena. Absorbent material 104 is configured to face a mucus membraneor other body portion of a subject that emits or secretes bodily fluid.In an exemplary embodiment, absorbent material 104 is configured toface, contact, and then rest on a subject's tongue during a test. Salivafrom the dorsal surface of the tongue contains saliva from all over themouth (i.e., not just the floor of the mouth where the more powerfulsalivary glands are located). That is, device 100A is configured to testsaliva secreted from multiple salivary glands, including the parotidgland.

Substrate 102 can comprise one or more flexible, creased, or otherwisebendable tabs 106 that can be folded or bent (FIG. 1B) for placementagainst a subject's skin. In some embodiments, tabs 106 are configuredto rest or “stop” against a subject's skin for preventing portions ofthe device from becoming inserted within the subject's body. Forexample, in an exemplary embodiment a rear portion 106A of each tab 106is configured to rest against a subject's lips, while absorbent material104 disposed on body portion 108A of the substrate 102 rests over thesubject's tongue for preventing stem 108B from entering the subject'smouth during the test. During the test, bodily fluid will migrate over agraduated scale 110 printed on device 100A. Graduated scale 110 is shownin broken lines as it is optional and/or may vary in size and/orincrements, where desired. Device 100 takes advantage of a naturalreflex of the tongue to push saliva to the front of the palate when themouth closes, thus, saliva can be collected from glands above the tongueand below the tongue for ensuring a more thorough test.

In some embodiments, body portion 108A is at least 0.5 inches wide. Infurther embodiments, body portion 108A is approximately 1.5 inches wide.In some embodiments, body portion 108A can comprise a width rangingbetween approximately 0.5-2.5 inches.

In some embodiments, stem portion 108B is at least 0.125 inches wide. Infurther embodiments, stem portion 108B is approximately 0.25 incheswide. In further embodiments, stem portion 108B is approximately 0.5inches wide. In some embodiments, stem portion 108B can comprise a widthranging between approximately 0.125-0.75 inches. Stem portion 108A cancomprise a length of at least 1 inch or more, 2 inches or more, or alength ranging between approximately 0.5-12 inches.

FIGS. 1C-1E illustrate further embodiments of bodily fluid indicatordevices, generally designated 100C to 100E, respectively. Each device100C to 100E can vary regarding the size, shape, and/or placement ofgraduated scale 110 and/or the size, shape, and/or placement ofabsorbent material 104. Such embodiments are shown for illustrationpurposes only. Persons having skill in the art will recognize andappreciate that devices may look a little different in regards to thesizes, shapes, and/or placement of various features.

FIG. 1F is an exemplary embodiment of a bodily fluid indicator device100F that is devoid of a graduated scale. However, FIG. 1F illustratesone or more reactive features 112 printed thereon. Such features 112 maybe reactive (e.g., change in color, size, shape, intensity, etc.) tovarious chemicals, elements, hormones, bacteria, yeast, fluidtemperature, fluid pH, etc., for indicating the absence or presence of achemical or elemental constituent and/or a chemical composition formingthe bodily fluid. Features 112 can indicate any number of chemical orphysical attributes regarding the bodily fluid that migrates across thefeatures.

For example, features 112 may react (e.g., change in size, shape, color,intensity, visibility, etc.) to calcium for indicating an amount ofcalcium present in the bodily fluid. In a further exemplary embodiment,features 112 may target and react to a specific hormone for indicatingthe presence or absence of the hormone in the bodily fluid.

Notably, devices described herein may include a graduated scale (e.g.,110), reactive features (e.g., 112), or a combination of both forindicating whether the type and/or amount of bodily fluid being producedis within a measurable range. As bodily fluid migrates over thegraduated scale 110 and/or features 112, various attributes (e.g.,chemical attributes, temperature, pH, volume, amount, production, glandviability, etc.) are indicated and become apparent.

Example 2

FIGS. 2A-2B are various schematic illustrations of bodily fluidindicator devices generally designated 200A-200B, respectively. FIG. 2Ais a device 200A comprising a curved or rounded multidimensionalsubstrate 202 and a correspondingly shaped region or area of absorbentmaterial 204. Increments 206 forming a graduated scale are provided(e.g., printed) over the absorbent material. A plurality of tabs 208 canbe disposed at one end for preventing the entire device from extendingwithin a cavity of a subject's body. For example and in someembodiments, the tabs 208 may prevent the device from fully extendingwithin a subject's nasal passage or vagina. Substrate 202 may be solidor hollow, where desired.

FIG. 2B is device 200B comprising an angular, multidimensional substrate202 and a correspondingly shaped region or area of absorbent material204. Increments 206 forming a graduated scale are provided (e.g.,printed) over the absorbent material. A plurality of tabs 208 can bedisposed at one end of device 200B for preventing the device fromextending within a cavity of a subject's body.

Example 3

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a method, generally designated 300,of using a bodily fluid indicator device to indicate an amount and/orcomposition of a bodily fluid. In block 302, a bodily fluid indicatordevice is provided. The device comprises a region of absorbent materialand a graduated scale printed thereon. The graduated scale may beprinted using a water soluble food grade ink. In lieu of and/or inaddition to a graduated scale, one or more other features or shapes mayalso be printed on the absorbent material (see e.g., FIG. 1F). Thefeatures may indicate the absence or presence of a chemical or elementalconstituent and/or a component of the bodily fluid.

In block 304, the device contacts a bodily fluid for a period of timesufficient to cause the bodily fluid to migrate over a portion of thegraduated scale. Notably, the period of time can be less than twominutes or less than one minute.

In block 306, the measurable amount of bodily fluid is determined basedon a proportion of the graduated scale over which the bodily fluid hasmigrated.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of using a bodily fluidindicator device is provided. The method includes providing a bodilyfluid indicator device comprising a region of absorbent material and oneor more features printed thereon.

The method can further comprise contacting a bodily fluid with theindicator device for a period of time sufficient to cause the bodilyfluid to migrate over a portion of the one or more features, wherein theperiod of time is less than one minute.

The method can further comprise indicating an absence or presence of achemical constituent forming the bodily fluid based on a property orattribute regarding the one or more features over which the bodily fluidhas migrated. For example, the features may indicate the absence orpresence of a chemical or elemental constituent (e.g., the presence orabsence of iron, calcium, glucose, sucrose, etc.), the absence orpresence of a hormone, or the absence of presence of any other chemicalattribute that is not inconsistent with the objectives of the instantdisclosure. The one or more properties or attribute may include a color,intensity, or size of the one or more features for indicating thepresence or absence of a chemical or elemental constituent in the bodilyfluid.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described in fulfillmentof the various objectives of the invention. It should be recognized thatthese embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of thepresent invention. Numerous modifications and adaptations thereof willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, one or moreembodiments are illustrated by the figures filed concurrent herewith.

1. A bodily fluid indicator device, the device comprising: a curvedsubstrate; a region of absorbent material covering portions of thesubstrate; and a plurality of bendable tabs extending from thesubstrate; wherein the tabs are movable between a first position beingcoplanar with the substrate and a second position being non-coplanarwith the substrate; wherein a proximal end of the absorbent material isconfigured to contact a source of bodily fluid so that bodily fluidmigrates towards a distal end of the absorbent material, the distal endcomprising a graduated scale or a reactive feature printed thereon,wherein the tabs extend from a location of the substrate that is betweenthe proximal end of the absorbent material and the distal end of theabsorbent material, and wherein the tabs, when in the second position,are configured to prevent the distal end of the absorbent material fromcontacting the source of the bodily fluid during collection of thebodily fluid. 2-20. (canceled)